Reproductive biology of the beaked clam Eumarcia paupercula (Bivalvia: Veneridae) from Maputo Bay, Mozambique

Abstract

The beaked clam Eumarcia paupercula (Holten 1802) (Bivalvia: Veneridae) is an important fishery resource for local artisanal fishers in Maputo Bay. Its annual reproductive cycle was described by following seasonal fluctuations in the condition index of the population occupying a tidal flat, and by analysing fresh gonad smears to confirm that changes in condition were, in fact, due to gonad state. Macroscopic gonad observations and changes in body condition confirmed that E. paupercula is a year-round breeder with three spawning peaks, with the major spawning periods occurring during summer. The spawning pattern found in this study is similar to other clams inhabiting similar tropical ecosystems.